Method for irrigating terrain

ABSTRACT

A weeper type method of irrigating terrain featuring unusual flexibility of use and the variety of results obtainable therefrom. The weeper proper is quickly installable in a selfsealing manner in the side of a plastic water distributing manifold or tube and is operable to provide either a misty spray discharge into the air or weeper flow at more than one selected rate. Alternatively, the weeper flow may be directed laterally into the air or conducted to a more remote discharge point or along the exterior of the weeper. The weepers are readily installable remote from or in close proximity to one another and each is individually operable at will to dispense water in selected manner and at a selected rate. A protective cap is installable with a snap fit over the outer end and selectively adjustable thereon to provide fast or slow weeper flow as well as to convert the discharge between a confined flow at either a slow or fast rate and into a widely dispersed misty spray or a confined flow. a simple tool functions to punch or blank a disc from the plastic water distributing manifold into which the weeper is then installable with a self-sealing self-retaining fit with the axis of the weeper supported upwardly with a captive pressure-responsive valve free for movement between several different operating positions.

Unite tates atent [191 Reeder et al.

[ METHOD FOR IRRIGATING TERRAIN [76] Inventors: Wilbur C. Reeder, 1961 Midwick Drive, Altadena, Calif. 91001; Norman D. Batterson, 3870 Shadow Grove Road, Pasadena, Calif. 91007 [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 519,803

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 323,638, Jan. 15, 1973, Pat. No. 3,873,031, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. No. 131,355, April 5, 1971, Pat. No. 3,746,263.

[52] US. Cl. 239/1 [51] Int. Cl. B05B 17/00; B44D 1/08 [58] Field of Search 239/1, 542, 116, 117, 11, 239/145, 450; 137/525, 513.5, 533.11, 533.13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,840,182 10/1974 Geffroy 239/542 3,841,349 10/1974 Todd 239/542 3,849,639 11/1974 Brock et al. 239/1 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sel1ers and Brace ABSTRACT A weeper type method of irrigating terrain featuring unusual flexibility of use and the variety of results obtainable therefrom. The weeper proper is quickly installable in a self-sealing manner in the side of a plastic water distributing manifold or tube and is operable to provide either a misty spray discharge into the air or weeper flow at more than one selected rate. Alternatively, the weeper flow may be directed laterally into the air or conducted to a more remote discharge point or along the exterior of the weeper. The weepers are readily installable remote from or in close proximity to one another and each is individually operable at will to dispense water in selected manner and at a selected rate. A protective cap is installable with a snap fit over the outer end and selectively adjustable thereon to provide fast or slow weeper flow as well as to convert the discharge between a confined flow at either a slow or fast rate and into a widely dispersed misty spray or a confined flow. a simple tool functions to punch or blank a disc from the plastic water distributing manifold into which the weeper is then installable with a self-sealing self-retaining fit with the axis of the weeper supported upwardly with a captive pressure-responsive valve free for movement between several different operating positions.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures atent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 39 9 US. Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet20f2 3,926,374

METHOD FOR IRRIGATING TERRAIN This application is a division of our copending application Ser. No. 323,638, filed Jan. 15, 1973, now US. Pat. No. 3,873,031 which application is a continuationin-part of our then copending application for US. Pat. Ser. No. 131,355, filed Apr. 5, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,746,263.

This invention relates to weeper type irrigation sytems and more particularly to an improved system and method utilizing simply constructed inexpensive components readily installed in a plastic water distributing manifold and operable in a variety of modes making economical highly-efficient use of water to irrigate as well as to humidify the ambient air and provide frost and temperature control for trees, shrubs and plant life generally.

A variety of proposals have been advanced for distributing a small continuous flow of water to trees and plant life in a manner making frugal and provident use of a limited water supply. There are many arid areas found suitable for agricultural and fruit growing purposes when utilizing new and improved weeper techniques for utilizing to maximum efficiency limited supplies of irrigation water.

Such proposals involve locating weeper outlets at spaced points along a water distributing main selected for the most effective irrigation of the roots of plant life. However, such outlets are subject to diverse problems including multiplicity of parts, excessive cost, laborious and time consuming installation problems, clogging and malfunctioning in use, lack of versatility to provide different rates and types of water discharge, need for interrupting operation of the system during servicing and numerous other problems of a related nature.

The foregoing and other shortcomings of prior weeper constructions and methods are avoided by the present invention which is characterized by its simplicity, low cost, ease of installation and modification, the variety of modes of use and the ease with which it can be converted from one mode of use to another, including widely varying flow rates and radically different modes of discharging the water not only for irrigation purposes but to control humidity and temperature conditions in the general vicinity of the weeper device. Both the water distributing manifold and the weeper device are preferably formed inexpensively from semirigid or rigid plastic material. The weeper device per se comprises an inlet tube having self-sealing self-retaining fit with a mounting hole punched through the side of the plastic distributing manifold. A ball or the like type of valve is held captive within the tubular housing and is responsive to gravity to seat against a valve seat near its inlet end and responsive to flowing pressurized water to seat against an outer weeper valve seat. At least one and preferably a plurality of minute flow passages are formed in the latter seat and converge toward the outlet opening in a manner effective to create a misty spray of the small flow permitted so long as the water pressure holds the valve seated across the weeper or outer seat. If not obstructed, the resulting misty spray may extend to a height of several feet before falling to the ground in a widely dispersed manner. Such a spray is not only effective for irrigation purposes but to humidify dry air as well as to control the air temperature under incipient frost conditions.

A protective guard cap having a snap fit over the outlet end is effective when in one installed position to invert this spray discharge to a flow occurring along the exterior side of the weeper and thence into the ground. If the cap is pressed to a second position, it holds the valve off the valve seat and allows a substantially greater flow for increased irrigation and also effective to flush the restrictive flow passages. Flushing of these passages may also be accomplished by temporarily unseating the valve by holding the cap depressed before restoring it to the normal weeper operating position. Alternatively, flushing is readily accomplished without the cap and without interfering with the operation of the remainder of the system simply by blocking flow as by holding the finger pressed against the outlet briefly. This allows the pressure to equalize on the opposite sides of the valve whereupon the valve gravitates to the inlet end of the weeper. Removal of the finger then restores flow abruptly at a high rate to flush the passages with an augmented flow of pressurized water until the valve reseats.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved highly versatile method of irrigating plant life and the like utilizing a low cost weeper type irrigating device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved irrigating method with the aid of a weeper device adapted to be installed with a self-retaining, selfsealing fit at any selected point along a pressurized plastic water distributing manifold.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved method of irrigating plant life utilizing a weeper irrigating device operable selectively to provide a fine mist discharge or a stream discharge which is selectively confined to the immediate area of the device or conducted to some remote discharge point.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of automatically purging a weeper type irrigating device including operating the same selectively at different rates, in different modes providing a spray discharge upwardly into the air as well as distributing the discharge in a confined stream.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper type irrigating device provided with a flow responsive valve normally seated in a manner providing a weeper flow at a rate not in excess of a few gallons per hour and including provision for discharging this flow as a fine mist into the air and alternatively directing the discharge into the ground either adjacent the weeper device or at a selected area remote therefrom at the users option.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple method of installing a weeper irrigating device in a plastic water distributing manifold simply by pressing the inlet end of the weeper into a snug fitting hole in the side of the manifold.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of providing a weeper irrigating device with a snap fitting protective cap readily adjustable to either of two positions each effective to modify the type and rate of flow.

Another object of the invention is the provision'of a method of expeditiously installing a weeper flow control device in a plastic manifold by punching a small disc from the side of the manifold and pressing the inlet end of the weeper device through the hole until a bead embracing the inlet tube is located adjacent the inner end thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of utilizing a weeper irrigating system having outlets and selectively controlling the air temperature and providing frost protection for trees in the immediate vicinity or, alternatively, irrigating only the subsurface around the base of a three.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an irrigating water distributing manifold including simple fittings usable alone or in multiples and installable along the manifold and each adapted to support one or more weeper flow control devices.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper type water distributing manifold having provision for supporting one or more short fittings in a branchout connection which fittings are adapted to support one or more weeper flow control devices with their discharge end at a higher elevation than their inlet ends.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a view partially in section showing the invention installation tool in use to blank an opening in a distributing manifold for the installation of a weeper flow control device;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 after the blanking tool has been removed and showing a weeper device embodying the invention installed in the manifold;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 303 on FIG. 2 with the protective cap positioned to direct a limited weeper flow downwardly along the exterior of the weeper;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the protective cap adjusted to a second position providing an increased irrigating flow along the exterior of the device;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken along lines 5-5 and 66 respectively on FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of the assembly blanking tool with the plunger depressed to remove the punchout disc;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a modified water distributing manifold with portions broken away and showing a plurality of the weeper devices assembled to the manifold in close proximity to one another;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 99 on FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale showing the blanking tool in use to provide a mounting opening for a weeper device in a modified manifold construction;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate weeper device having the protective hood formed integrally with the main body of the weeper;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 1212 on FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view showing two different modes of mounting the weeper device in the distributing manifold at the base of a tree; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale of one of the weeper outlets shown in FIG.. 13.

Referring initially more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention weeper device, designated generally 10, installed in a plastic water distributing manifold 11. Device 10 includes a tubular main body 12 bonded or otherwise suitably secured to an inlet tube 13. Manifold 11 typically comprises a semi-rigid plastic tube of any suitable plastic composition, such as polyvinyl chloride and others having similar characteristics. Main body 12 may be molded or otherwise formed from similar plastic material and is formed interiorly with a suitable non-circular configuration, such as that indicated at FIG. 6, so as to hold a valve 15 freely captive between the opposite ends of the main body. Inlet tube 13 is preferably provided with a low radial height bead or retainer 18 embracing its inlet end and cooperating with the rim edges of the mounting opening 19 to hold the weeper device separably assembled to the manifold 11.

The flanged discharge end 20 of the inlet tube has a snug fit with the adjacent end of main body 12 and is preferably bonded or heat sealed thereto. The discharge end of the flow passage 22 through tube 13 is formed with a conical valve seat 23 against which the valve seats under conditions to be described below.

The upper end of weeper housing 12 converges to provide a generally conical valve seat 24 for valve 15. This valve seat is provided with at least one and preferably three or more fine weeper passages 25. As shown in FIG. 5 there are three passages 25 comprising shallow V-shaped grooves having a depth, such as 5 to 8 mils, and having a combined flow capacity of l to 3 gallons per hour when valve 15 is firmly seated on its seat 24.

The upper smaller end of valve seat 24 opens into an outlet or discharge port 28. If there is no obstruction in the zone of the outlet port 28, the fine pressurized streams of water passing along weeper passages 25 impinge upon one another outwardly of port 28 and convert the flow into a spray-like mist of water typically extending 3 to 5 feet forwardly to port 28.

The exterior upper end of housing 12 is provided with two shallow annular grooves 29 and 30 usable to retain a protective cap or guard 32 on the upper end of the weeper fitting in either of two adjusted positions ax ially of the weeper. Cap 32 is preferably molded from supple plastic material and includes a post 33 extending axially from the bottom of the cap and having a diameter appreciably smaller than the water discharge port 28. Caps 32 may be made with posts 33 of differing diameters to provide for different rates of augmented flow. The interior sidewalls of cap 32 are also provided with a series of dome-like projections 34 best shown in FIG. 5. These projections seat loosely within either of the retaining grooves 29, 30 and serve to hold the protective cap 32 firmly assembled to the weeper in either position respectively illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. If the protuberances 34 are seated in groove 29 as they are in FIG. 3, then the post 33 is positioned above valve 15 and the latter is free to seal firmly against the concial seat 24 under the system water pressure. However, if cap 32 is depressed until bulges 34 snap into seating engagement with groove 30, then post 33 holds valve 15 depressed and fully unseated thereby allowing the considerably increased flow of water to escape through port 28 which is then diverted downwardly along the exterior sides of the weeper by the sidewalls of cap 32. As will be readily recognized the rate of flow under these conditions is governed primarily by the relativel diameters of post 33 and port 28. It will be understood that cap 32 has a snap fit over the outer ends of the weeper and is loosely retained in either the outer retaining groove 29 or the inner retaining groove 30 at the option of the user and having important functions and purposes to be described presently.

The weeper is quickly and easily mounted at any selected point along manifold 11 utilizing the simple blanking tool indicated at 40 in FIGS. 1 and 7. This tool includes a handle 41 frictionally supporting a plunger 42 the inner end of which is freely slidable lengthwise of a blanking tube 43. The sharpened rim edge 44 of the latter is sized to punch an opening through the sidewall of manifold 11 sufficiently smaller than the external diameter of the weeper inlet tube 13 that the latter has a snug frictional fit therewith. Desirably, a suitable guard such as a compression spring 45 surrounds the blanking tube 43 and normally projects beyond the free end of this tube, thereby protecting the sharp edge 44 against damage or injury to the user. However, when the tool is placed against the sidewall of manifold 11 the spring readily compresses as the tool is depressed through the sidewall of the manifold. The interior of the blanking tube retains the punchout disc 46 (FIG. 1) captive until after the tool is withdrawn from the manifold after which plunger 42 is employed to eject and discard the punchout disc 46.

The tool having been withdrawn from the newly formed hold 19 in the manifold, the operator merely presses the inlet tube 13 of a weeper device into the newly formed openinguntil bead 18 snaps into sealing position opposite the inner end of hole 19. The sidewalls of hole 19 in cooperation with bead 18 then retain the weeper device firmly installed on the manifold in a fluid-tight manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown a modified embodiment wherein the same or similar components are designated by the same reference characters distinguished by a prime. The water distributing manifold 11' includes a T-fitting 50 having its T-head interconnecting two adjacent sections of the manifold and supporting in its T-stem a pair of similar couplings 51,51 the upper one of which is closed by plug 52. It will be understood that any desired number of couplings 51 may be connectedin series depending upon the number of weeper outlets to be accommodated.

Each of couplings 51 is here shown as provided in its sidewall with a pair of cup-shaped wells 53, 53 each having a normally closed bottom 54. Desirably, wells 53 are sized to have a snug supporting fit with the main body 12' of a weeper device 10'. When it is desired to mount a weeper in coupling 51 the operator uses the tool 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 to blank a hole through the bottom 54 of the selected mounting well 53. Thereafter, he simply presses the inlet of a weeper device 10' into its installed position, the protective cap 32' being adjusted to a desired position or removed at the users option and depending upon the nature of the irrigation operation to be performed.

Not infrequently, ,multiple weeper outlets at a particular location are utilized to supply extra quantities of irrigating water to different dispersing points. This is readily carried out by removing the protective cap 32 and telescoping a resilient flexible tube over the outer end of weeper device 10'. This tube has a snug fluidtight fit with the weeper and its outlet end may be located any desired distance from the weeper. If the user desires a misty spray discharge, he removes the cap 32' allowing the weeper flow to discharge into the air, otherwise, the cap is present i n one of its two adjacent positions.

To be noted in particular is the fact that couplings 51 are usually located in an upright position, as indicated in FIG. 8, in order to insure that the ball valve 15 will always gravitate to its lower seat 23 in the absence of water pressure or if the pressure on the opposite sides of the valve is the same. To this end the axes of the mounting wells 53 are preferably arranged to a suitable angle to the horizontal, such as 15. However, it will be understood that this angle may be increased if it is desired to have the weepers discharge in a more nearly vertical direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a modified embodiment of the weeper device, designated generally 10'', and differing from the first described embodiment only in the fact that the protective cap 32" is molded integrally with the main body 12" and is provided with a laterally directed outlet port 60 through which the water discharges. If it is desired to direct the water to a different area, a flexible tube 55" is telescoped overthe weeper outlet and the water escaping along passage 60 exits through the notch 62 and is conducted by the tube to its discharge end.

Purging of the weeper passages 25" is accomplished by collapsing tube 55" to block the discharge of water temporarily. The tube must be held collapsed for a sufficient period for the water pressure to equalize on the opposite sides of ball valve 15" whereupon the valve gravitates back to its lower seat 23. The collapsing pressure is then removed from the tube permitting abrupt resumption of water flow at a maximum rate past valve 15" to cleanse the weeper passages 25" in the same manner as described above inconnection with FIGS. 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the water distributing manifold 11 is shown in a typical mode of use with different portions buried to different depths ad jacent the trunk of a tree 70. The right hand end of the manifold is scarcely covered by earth thereby leaving the upper end portion of weeper device 10 with cap 32 detached exposed and discharging a misty spray 71 into the vicinity of the lower branches of the tree. The left hand end of the manifold is buried to a depth of several inches and telescoped over its upper end in lieu of cap 32 in a short length of plastic tubing 75 the upper end of which is shown flattened and heat sealed in this condition except for a ribbon-like discharge port 76 sized to provide either a misty spray as indicated at 77 or a non-jetting discharge. Thus, if the port is made somewhat larger than that producing a spray discharge, the water simply overflows the rim of the port and downwardly along the exterior of tube 75. This mode of weeper discharge permits burying the manifold to a depth avoiding risk of injury by cultivating tools and also discourages vandalism and tampering by strangers.

The versatility and various modes of utilizing the invention irrigating system will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of its construction and mode of installation. All parts are formed of inexpensive plastic material highly resistance to damage and injury. The main distributing manifold may be laid along the surface of the ground or buried only slightly or to a sufficient depth to avoid injury by agricultural tools. Usually the weeper proper is located close to the base of a tree or other plant life to be irrigated. The irrigation may be either at a slow rate of l to 3 gallons'per hour or at a more rapid rate. Additionally the water may be discharged as a fine spray several feet into the air or may be confined strictly to the immediate vicinity of the weeper as it issues therefrom. If it is desired to confine the discharge to the sub-surface, then the pro tective cap 32 is employed and the weeper device is buried to a desired depth including an earth or other convering to l or more inches. In this case a visible marker is usually placed in the ground close to the location of the weeper for ease of location for servicing and adjustment of the flow rate.

If greater versatility is desired, then one or more of couplings 51 are employed and the bottoms of the mounting walls 53 are pierced and equipped with weeper devices when and as needed. If additional out lets are needed it is merely necessary to remove the end plug 52 and install an additional coupling.

A relatively rapid or leaching water flow is readily obtained simply by snapping cap 32 to its innermost adjusted position so that post 33 holds valve unseated and permits a substantially greater flow. This flow may be further regulated simply by substituting a cap having a larger or smaller post 33 thereby varying the quantity of water which can pass between the sides of the post and the walls of the outlet port 28.

When an orchard equipped with the invention irrigating system is threatened with frost conditions, protective caps 32 are removed providing a high level misty spray reaching up to the lowermost branches of the tree. This mode of use is found very effective in safeguarding against mild frost conditions and avoids the use of costly heater equipment. A similar mode of use in hot weather if found very effective in protecting trees and shrubs against very low humidity and the serious dessication which can result under low humidity conditions particularly when accompanied by winds.

While the particular improved method of irrigating terrain herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

I. That method of purging a weeper flow control device of sediment and the like while connected to a pressurized irrigating system utilizing a temporary augmented water flow from that device for purging, said weeper device being of the type having a tubular housing equipped interiorly thereof with a captive flowresponsive member normally held by water pressure in a flow restricting position adjacent an outlet for said device and automatically movable away from flow restricting upon cessation of water flow through said weeper device, said method comprising manually blocking flow from the outlet of said weeper device while the irrigating system remains pressurized and allowing the resulting equalization of water pressure around said captive member to permit said captive member to move away from said flow-restricting position, and thereafter abruptly restoring the flow of water from the outlet of said device whereby the resulting sudden flow of pressurized water past said captive 8 member is effective to purge sediment and the like from said seat.

2. That method of purging a weeper flow control device of sediment and the like while connected to a pressurized irrigating system utilizing a temporary augmented water flow from that device for purging, said weeper device being of the type having a tubular housing equipped interiorly thereof with a captive flowresponsive member normally held by water pressure in a flow restricting position adjacent an outlet for said device and automatically movable away from flow restricting upon cessation of water flow through said weeper device, said method comprising manually displacing said captive member inwardly away from the flow restricting position thereof thereby permitting an augmented purging flow of water to take place to purge sediment from said flow control device, and thereafter permitting said captive member to move back to the normal flow restrictign position thereof.

3. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the step of displacing said captive member from the flow restricting position thereof by depressing probe means axially of the water outlet from said weeper device.

4. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of providing the outlet portion of said weeper device with a protective cap telescoped loosely thereover and having probe means extending toward and axially aligned with said outlet for said weeper device, manually depressing said protective cap so that said probe displaces said captive member from the flow restricting position thereof to permit a purging flow of water through said outlet, and utilizing the sidewalls of said protective cap to deflect said purging flow along the exterior of said weeper device in a direction away from said protective cap.

5. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of enclosing the outlet end of said weeper device with an inverted cup-shaped protective cap having a probe projecting from the interior side of its bottom and axially aligned with said outlet from said weeper device, and purging said weeper device of sediment by manually depressing said protective cap so that said probe displaces said captive member and flow restricting position thereto thereby allowing the resulting augmented flow to purge sediment from the interior of said weeper device.

6. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of providing the outlet end of said weeper device with cup-shaped cap means inverted thereover and having a probe projecting from the interior side of its bottom in axial alignment with said outlet, and providing said weeper device and cap means with means for holding said cap selectively in different positions in one of which said captive member is in the flow restricting position thereof and in another of which said probe is effective to hold said captive member depressed to provide a substantially augmented flow through said outlet. 

1. That method of purging a weeper flow control device of sediment and the like while connected to a pressurized irrigating system utilizing a temporary augmented water flow from that device for purging, said weeper device being of the type having a tubular housing equipped interiorly thereof with a captive flowresponsive member normally held by water pressure in a flow restricting position adjacent an outlet for said device and automatically movable away from flow restricting upon cessation of water flow through said weeper device, said method comprising manually blocking flow from the outlet of said weeper device while the irrigating system remains pressurized and allowing the resulting equalization of water pressure around said captive member to permit said captive member to move away from said flow restricting position, and thereafter abruptly restoring the flow of water from the outlet of said device whereby the resulting sudden flow of pressurized water past said captive member is effective to purge sediment and the like from said seat.
 2. That method of purging a weeper flow control device of sediment and the like while connected to a pressurized irrigating system utilizing a temporary augmented water flow from that device for purging, said weeper device being of the type having a tubular housing equipped interiorly thereof with a captive flow-responsive member normally held by water pressure in a flow restricting position adjacent an outlet for said device and automatically movable away from flow restricting upon cessation of water flow through said weeper device, said method comprising manually displacing said captive member inwardly away from the flow restricting position thereof thereby permitting an augmented purging flow of water to take place to purge sediment from said flow control device, and thereafter permitting said captive member to move back to the normal flow restrictign position thereof.
 3. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the step of displacing said captive member from the flow restricting position thereof by depressing probe means axially of the water outlet from said weeper device.
 4. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of providing the outlet portion of said weeper device with a protective cap telescoped loosely thereover and having probe means extending toward and axially aligned with said outlet for said weeper device, manually depressing said protective cap so that said probe displaces said captive member from the flow restricting position thereof to permit a purging flow of water through said outlet, and utilizing the sidewalls of said protective cap to deflect said purgIng flow along the exterior of said weeper device in a direction away from said protective cap.
 5. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of enclosing the outlet end of said weeper device with an inverted cup-shaped protective cap having a probe projecting from the interior side of its bottom and axially aligned with said outlet from said weeper device, and purging said weeper device of sediment by manually depressing said protective cap so that said probe displaces said captive member and flow restricting position thereto thereby allowing the resulting augmented flow to purge sediment from the interior of said weeper device.
 6. That method defined in claim 2 characterized in the steps of providing the outlet end of said weeper device with cup-shaped cap means inverted thereover and having a probe projecting from the interior side of its bottom in axial alignment with said outlet, and providing said weeper device and cap means with means for holding said cap selectively in different positions in one of which said captive member is in the flow restricting position thereof and in another of which said probe is effective to hold said captive member depressed to provide a substantially augmented flow through said outlet. 